“Sanctions don’t work” was a common phrase heard by many at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As the UK and other Western nations began turning the handles and pressing the buttons of pressure upon suppliers and buyers to cease trading with Russia; the sceptics became, somewhat understandably, more vocal around what effectiveness imposing sanctions would have upon Russia’s willingness or ability to wage war.
The author, Shane Mason, is a geopolitical strategist specialising in grand strategy and world affairs who has recently appeared on national radio. He reads international relations at the University of Cambridge and is a former Royal Navy engineer technician. In this article, he talks about the purpose of the sanctions imposed upon Russia. This article is the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the UK Defence Journal. If you would like to submit your own article on this topic or any other, please see our submission guidelines.
It was startling to see how quickly it became a question, not of necessity, but of appropriateness, ethics and morals around how companies could justify why Russia should benefit from the globalised economy. Sure enough, Western companies trading with Russia were stirred to reflect upon why, or indeed how, they could be helping the Russian government pay for its bombs and bullets through liquidity and taxation raised by trading in the Russian economy. In the age of readily available information; people, quite rightly, expect transparency. And for those Western companies still dealing with Russia, there was no way to hide, even if they tried. And it wasn’t just companies. Chelsea FC felt the wrath of sanctions, without any scruple or hint of an apology. Yachts and mansions were seized, and asset funds were frozen. Russia was, as the saying goes, out in the cold. Alone.
Sending in the banks before the tanks is a typical move in the western playbook to defeat a country that is challenging the hegemony. Whilst the West has previously imposed sanctions upon Russia aimed at signalling our willingness to act against Russian aggression, these recent sanctions are different. These are sections with a capital ‘S’, real sanctions. The Sanctions over the last couple of weeks are implemented for two reasons. Firstly, to cripple the Russian economy and agitate a societal shift in attitude towards the Russian government by disrupting the standard of living for its people and making it very uncomfortable for all levels of society. This also ensures Russia cannot use its economy for global or regional influence to gain support for its actions. To put it in simple terms: giving someone a “cold” makes others want to stay away from them, and to borrow a phrase from Tsar Nicholas the 1st for how he described the Ottoman Empire; Russia has become “the sick man” of the world. But it has been entirely self-inflicted.
The second reason is more practical and boils down to a simple fact: the bombs, tanks, aircraft, ration packs, rounds of ammunition, boots, ships and everything else needed to wage a war are very expensive – particularly at the scale and rate the Russian Federation requires them. And all those items need producing or procuring in order to maintain Russia’s abhorrent war machine. A war machine that it has deployed to murder the civilians of a nation that wants to live in a democracy and have its own political independence. This means the Russian war machine needs to be choked off; crippled; brought to its knees; suffocated; eradicated, and then finally consigned to the history books as a lesson for future generations.
These Sanctions are meant to teach Russia what it means to be a world leader where cooperation is valued over conflict, whilst demonstrating how nations (especially global powers with influence) need to show political leadership with respectable, peaceful and caring behaviours in a global society. The Russian people (and arguably its government) have worked hard since 1991 to build its existing economy, political relationships and military. But in a hard and very painful way, both it’s government and people will learn that economics, politics and military affairs are inseparable. I am under no doubt the hard work since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 will all be destroyed as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Because of this, Russia is re-entering dark and cold years ahead through no fault but its own government’s miscalculation, misadventure and misinformation. The Sanctions, and global societies’ support for them, has been a soft-power play through absolute necessity to help deter Russia away from further bloodshed. And its citizens, many of whom are peaceful and against the invasion, will suffer greatly. Typical of authoritarian regimes such as Russia’s: politics trumps the people. Unlike liberal democracies, where politics is for the people and elected by the people.
Russia is in desperate need of change. As Winston Churchill once said: “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often”. Nobody is expecting a perfect Russia, or even a perfect world. But an improved world will come from a changed Russia.
Anyone who is President, Prime Minister, Chancellor of their country for more than ten years, is likely to lose the plot, as they have forgotten what normal life is like. Putin has been at the top for 22. He should have retired to his palace near Sochi by now. The sanctions put on Russia by the free world have been more than expected, say two months ago. We now need to close the loopholes such as trusts. If the oligarch still benefits from it, they should not have their assets protected by a trust. We need to know the real… Read more »
We have been under sanctions for almost forty-three years and it still continues. -_____________-
Amin wrote: We have been under sanctions for almost forty-three years and it still continues. From your posts you come across as a proud Iranian, You know that Iran which: Openly kidnaps dual citizens for political gain Funds terrorism across the world including Europe Hides behind proxy groups in which to carry out terrorist attacks, looks at Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Funds a nuclear weapons program in conjunction with North Korea Funds a Ballistic weapons program in conjunction with North Korea. Carries out attacks in the Arabian Gulf in which to keep the price of crude high. Attacks diplomatic missions… Read more »
Persian gulf . Which massacre? I did not see a massacre! And also the Yemenis do not have food to eat! Let alone the core. Not all mullahs are crazy. The people of my country gave thousands of martyrs to make this country prosperous. Israel is not a nucleus !? Of course I hate North Korea, China and Russia.
In addition. Why does he say the Arabian Gulf? Do you have any information about the Achaemenids? Or from the Sassanids?
Translated with Google (:
Amin wrote:
“”Which massacre? “”
Amin wrote: ” And also the Yemenis do not have food to eat!” Yemen has been a basket case since the 1960s. Between 1962 and 1970 over 200000 Yemeni died Egypt used poison gas. The Yemenite War of 1972 saw around 200 people killed The Yemenite War of 1979 saw around 1000 people killed The South Yemen Civil War saw around 6000 people killed The Yemeni Civil War of 1994 saw around 10000 people killed This latest conflict since 2021 has seen 21000 killed, not the hundreds of thousands promulgated by charities and Iranian propaganda designed to make Yemen a Vassal… Read more »
Amin wrote:
The people of my country gave thousands of martyrs to make this country prosperous.
If your country is so prosperous, why is its biggest export after oil and weapons its people?
Not a constructive reply, why not respond to Farouk properly? He is a very conscientious and knowledgeable contributer who will respond to posts with research and good manners.
Sanctions are a blunt weapon and there is often blowback, which there will be in the case of Russia. Whilst most western countries (basically NATO and 5 Eyes plus a few US friends) are sanctioning Russia most of the World, in terms of population and real estate are not. This allows all kinds of ‘work arounds’. The value of a currency is a good measure of the financial strength of that country, the Russian ruble nearly halved when the sanctions were announced, it rebounded and is now down around 10%. Then there is this that will strengthen it still further.… Read more »
JIMK wrote: The value of a currency is a good measure of the financial strength of that country, the Russian ruble nearly halved when the sanctions were announced, it rebounded and is now down around 10%. Then there is this that will strengthen it still further. Todays Wall Street Journal: The ruble is in a central-bank-induced coma. While Russia’s currency can still see sharp swings in a day, it has trimmed its steep losses and begun to stabilize. It is now trading at around 99 rubles to the dollar, about 17% weaker than it was before Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb.… Read more »
Yes the G7 did say that but it is admitted that it is mainly companies not countries that buy the sanctioned products. This is their get out.
Interesting. Not heard of it but can see bloomberg are running the story re diesel. No one else seems to be alarmed yet mind
No government will want to create panic, it will be interesting to see how they handle it. Bear in mind that this was an already growing problem that has suddenly and unexpectedly been made a lot worse as Russia is a big producer and the largest users are cut off from that supply. The US probably has the biggest problem, maybe they will quietly backdoor it?
JIMK wrote: On that subject, no doubt, as a well informed bunch, you are all aware that the World could run out of diesel this summer If that premise came true, it would of course issue in short term hardships, but it would also precipitate into a huge move towards the purchase of electric vehicles. A direction the West has gravitated towards these past 10 years, with an increase in impetus these past 5 years with a target of banning the sale of Hydrocarbon vehicles (in the UK) within 8 years time So yes short term hurt, but long term, countries… Read more »
Then, China can hold our EV batteries hostage while they turn Taiwan into the new Ukraine.
i don’t know, the major source of lithium for batteries is Australia, followed by Chile not only that , the old tin mines in Cornwall have been found to be a very rich source of high grade lithium, which is why a huge EV car battery factory is being built in Northumberland. Tesla builds in car batteries in Nevada BMW builds its batteries in Sweden Mercedes is building a plant in Poland VW has partnered with LG and 2 other South Korean firms with a look to build in Germany. French car firm PSA is building plants in France and… Read more »
Thanks for the info. Your website is very informative and appreciated.
Hi Farouk, this is true. AusGov has come out in the last couple of weeks with 500million AUD support for a Western supply chain of lithium/rare earths – we have specialist miners here with contracts going into Western supply chains, as well as some exporting to China etc. Enormous reserves once we really go after it (worked on mines) – I think of the salt lake country south of Kal before Norseman for example… The pace of change in Australia’s energy generation is becoming rapid, great uptake of rooftop solar for example (no shortage of sun!) JohninMN interesting comment too… Read more »
Thank you. You are spot on re refining and yes, peak easily usable has probably passed. The big problem is that the very large quantity of fracked oil available in the US is too light for most uses, inc diesel/aviation fuel etc and has to be mixed with heavier crude. Historically all the US refineries in the Gulf were optimised for Venezuelan very heavy crude (much like bitumen, the US send down dilutants that were mixed in to ease transport) but then that stopped. The US then found that the best alternative was Urals crude and made it the second… Read more »
JIMK wrote:
Sorry that isn’t true, taken from the US Energy Information Administration website:
Part 2:
Thanks I’ll check why my figures are different
Because they are false,direct from your head sheds in Russki land.
If the world switches to electric cars, there simply is not enough Lithium. This is why one large Chinese battery maker is switching to Sodium ion for standard range electric cars. Sodium is everywhere in the form of salt.
Indeed yes, but have you seen what’s happened to the price of Lithium? Buy an electric car soon or the economics start to not stack up. A different set of equations apply to commercial vehicles as well, it is hard to envisage trucks going electric in that time. Or even how we generate enough electricity.
I refer you to this map showing who is and isn’t sanctioning Russia https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNbaX9aVgAIexfy?format=png&name=small The most important country outside the US is China and they continue to make their position clear. See this article https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/03/28/chairman-xi-just-made-a-big-move-china-announces-they-will-keep-purchasing-crude-oil-and-gas-from-russia/#more-230695 By doing what they are doing the West’s leaders are accelerating the implementation of the fears of Mackinder over a century ago but at a much more serious level than he envisaged, due to the impact of where the population and raw materials are located. The way it is going the World could divide into two blocks as per the map above. This would be… Read more »
Correct and some of us like to take you to task when you post your Russian Troll propaganda, simple as that. But you have taken my advice, and now trying to be reasonable in your posts, reel commentators in, prior to posting your troll garbage. Basic troll tactics, we have seen it from you many times….oh and your other Avatar Andrew. We know your a troll but keep your Nazi Poop Tin attitude at bay and things will be reasonable.
Have to disagree with your post Airborne…JohninMK is a critical thinker unlike many on here. He doesn’t just regurgitate MSM Russophobic propaganda…that’s what really riles the brainwashed…he is not ‘one of us’. Calling anyone who disagres with you a ‘Russian Troll’ is the sort of behaviour one expects from someone incapable of serious discussion and exchange of viewpoints.
K wrote: Have to disagree with your post Airborne…JohninMK is a critical thinker unlike many on here. JIMK has a right to post on here like anybody else, but he is anything but critical rather I would say he is a critic who infuses a number of his posts with misinformation, which I have no problem in spotting, exposing and correcting with actual facts, For example his post above that Moscow is the second highest supplier of crude to the US is incorrect. which I using actual US gov data have disproved shows Moscow as of 3 months ago in… Read more »
farouk…as you say we all make mistakes and data can be taken from different sources which themselves might disagree…your criticism would only be valid therefore if you are accusing someone of deliberately misleading others and can prove that intent.
Be careful before setting yourself up as a ‘fact checker’…too many of those already around the world…some of them shown to be anything but.
Farouk used intelligent content to disprove all yours, Andrews and Johny boys chuff, and it’s something you won’t/don’t like. Me on the other had, far to immature and bored with your chuff, so just grip you and hand you your arses now and then.
K wrote: Be careful before setting yourself up as a ‘fact checker’…too many of those already around the world…some of them shown to be anything but. When I started out as an Instructor, I found myself having to stand up in front of hundreds of people and give lectures. As a very young and cocky WO2, I found myself one day berating two people sat in front of me for talking and laughing. After I ripped them a new one in front of everybody (like you do) It was kindly pointed out to me by a Lt Col that before I… Read more »
Wrong, he’s a troll, he is nothing to do with critical thinking! It’s also an interesting coincidence your back on the scene as so called JohninMK doesn’t respond as trolls don’t like being trolled! And again, no other posters on here use the acronym MSM, aside from you, Andrew and JohninMK….(along with a number of observable similarities) sigh!!!! So obvious!
I’ve no problem with JohninMKs posts…I agree with the sentiment in many of them…so refreshing to find someone able to see through the propaganda from the likes of UK and US government and military officials parroted without analysis by the likes of the BBC/CH4/Guardian et al.
What makes you think he is an agent of Moscow? Am I an agent of Moscow by your definition?
As for not responding to you…I don’t blame him…he’s probably got better things to do. Your approach is very aggressive and confrontational.
Sorry son, yet again your obvious links between accounts is sadly obvious. Only you and Andrew, and occasionally Johny boy use the term critical thinkers….so obvious, so rubbish yet pleasing to see your as bad at trolling as your lads are in Ukraine at fighting. And don’t blow smoke up your own arses son, agent of Moscow, far from it, just sad online trolls who are using the same avatar to push your sad agenda. Take a step back, look at all the links between accounts, same terminology, same agenda and same vocab. FFS put more effort in of your… Read more »
K wrote: So refreshing to find someone able to see through the propaganda from the likes of UK and US government and military officials parroted without analysis by the likes of the BBC/CH4/Guardian et al. You do realise that the BBC/CH4/Guardian are not state run and that all three are free to criticize the British government in fact this past year has seen all three do just that regards this Governments response to: COVID MPs second jobs Downing st lockdown parties To Iranians traveling to Iran on their Iranian passport and getting nicked The Budget Ukrainian refugees In fact the… Read more »
K wrote: . Your approach is very aggressive and confrontational. I take it you have no military blood in you. Those who have are often perceived by those without as abrasive, argumentative and arrogant But actually it couldn’t be further from the truth. You are referring to a band of brothers (and sisters) who would (and do) die for their mates. These are people who live 24/7 in each other’s pockets , and they don’t take fools gladly. If you are going to talk shite, they will tell you to your face that you are talking shite, that’s something that doesn’t happen in… Read more »
Looking for ‘conspiracy’ where none exists..let it go.
With you three and your efforts it’s like day one Chicksands!
Is Russia Today (RT) MSM?
Photo is a still of RT, published by the Guardian on February 25th. “There are no threats to civilians in the Ukraine.”
Well, that puts an end to that. I’m so relieved. It was just a nightmare after all.
A critical thinker, no matter what their political affiliation would be able to call out war crimes such as shelling of hospitals, schools, houses etc. JohninMK doesn’t. Critical thinking is not an option available to the terrified residents of Mariupol, Irpin, Sumy and so on. Spouting and gaslighting Kremlin propaganda is not critical thinking. JohninMK is not a critical thinker.
I think you might find once Mariupol has been totally taken in the next day or two, that many of the residents there will be only too willing to testify under oath of the atrocities that were carried out by extremist elements of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Some are already telling their stories online…don’t expect the MSM to report much on this…even less an apology for their own propaganda. Some Ukrainian troops have already claimed that they were shot at and threatened because they wanted to surrender. In any modern war unfortunately civilians are killed…fact of life once the fighting… Read more »
We’ll likely find that is not the case. Where have you seen these supposed online testimonies by Mariupol residents?? Absolute rubbish from the FSB troll factories is all that is. The atrocities are being carried out by Russia. They invaded, they started this war, they are attacking civilians, bombing theatres, hospitals and schools all over Ukraine because their military failed in its objectives, mainly because they’re useless. It is Russian cluster bombs and thermobaric weapons falling on Ukrainian cities, get real. The extremist elements you mention? They’re in the Kremlin, look them up, and while you do, look up what… Read more »
I will be a lot happier when Ukraine defeats russia and the comments here return to normal and get back to hating the Scots and the French, disagree with them but at least the arguments were more coherent.
I’m guessing you’re trying to say that sanctions don’t work and that Russia is doing just fine in spite of them. It’s not. But here’s the thing, invading sovereign European countries doesn’t work either as Putin is discovering to his cost. In case you’ve missed it , these sanctions have been imposed on Russia because the Nazi gangster (ad hominem?) Putin launched an illegal and depraved war against his peaceful neighbour Ukraine. No amount of your deflection about lithium, electric vehicles or the price of diesel alters those basic facts. That is all for now but this is just the… Read more »
Agreed, and have you noticed, out of nowhere Kayaker has turned up, after Johnny boy has stated he will no longer respond to our “arse handing to him” moments. Spend a bit of time looking at the posts, terminology, style, content etc, easy to spot and sad they are so bad at trolling they think we don’t notice. Same originator, different avatar.
Until now, I thought MSM was the stuff in anti arthritis pills, along with Glucosamine.
😂👍
Spot on mate and this is why there will be a peace deal as the Russkies are not only getting their arse handed to them, they now have a fucked up economy which could lead to Poop Tin and his Nazi head sheds getting removed. Its a get out, which most people will be content with as it stops the war, but one which shows how bad the Russian misjudged not only the Ukrainians abilities but their own capabilities.
Most wars end with a peace deal…nothing new there. The Russians though will be keeping Crimea (no change) and will exert openly control over the two breakaway oblasts, even down to guaranteeing their security…so Ukraine will have lost these possibly for good. In addition it seems highly likely that Ukraine will have to forgo any more talk of NATO membership and may have to agree to become ‘neutral’…a buffer state in effect . It’s also possible that they might lose their entire coastline on the Sea of Azov. Was it worth it for them? Tens of thousands dead, their navy… Read more »
Ukrainian air force is still flying. But has it been worth it for Russia?? Let’s see… It’s military campaign has failed utterly. It has united NATO and encouraged other countries to consider membership. It has made many NATO members increase defence expenditure. It has increased NATO presence on its borders. It has seen a catastrophic collapse in its banking and economic system. It is subject to ever more sanctions and will find it increasingly hard to manufacture and sell goods . It’s military hardware has been shown to be absolute poorly maintained junk. It’s military tactics and strategy has been… Read more »
Was it worth it for them? Who the Ukrainians? Are you proper special? There was an illegal invasion by your boss and you seem to be blaming them! Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine please?
“Was it worth it for them? Tens of thousands dead, their navy and air force virtually wiped out. Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure damage and economic damage to their country. For what exactly?”
That is an unbelievable comment!!!! For what exactly??? To defend their nation from invaders!! Which I’d hope I and others would have the courage to do ourselves if it happened to my country, Great Britain. I hope I never have to find out.
Bending over backwards and accepting it is shameful!! No country with any pride in itself or its people does that.
Russia has performed poorly on the military front and has taken longer to achieve only part of what it set out to do…agreed? Have no problem with that analysis. However this was as much a surprise to the US and NATO seemingly as it was to the Russian leadership…the point being that before hostilities commenced everyone assumed that the Ukrainians were on to a hiding even with ‘assistance’ from NATO, which is one of the reasons that NATO had absolutely no intention of putting its own soldiers in the line of fire. The US with NATO/EU help overthrew the legitimate… Read more »
And there you go more Putin driven drivvle! Absolute chuff and yet you still claim not to be a sad stooge of Putin! I refer to my other replies to you, your garbage is almost verbatim to JohninMK and your post content is pure RT vomit! No one is convinced of your supposed impartiality as this post confirms. No critical thinking there pal, just Putins propaganda!
Had to reply a second time as just had to re-read your post, it’s so funny, hilarious in fact and paragraphs 3-7 the best, with para 6 by far the best! You sure are earning your spuds today pal, and your making an extra effort not to direct any criticism to your Nazi leader Putin, very careful as you are a supervised and monitored troll account! But, keep these up they are hilarious on this early mornings! Taking of early mornings, more advice on trolling, your replies are within a timeframe and logged, I take it you don’t sleep? As… Read more »
Ukraine had a corruption problem, regardless of whether there was a pro Russian or pro Western government. Settling the problem by free & fair referendum would have been the best way of sorting border issues. The trouble is, Putin never offered that. He could not risk the vote going against him. Now he has acted, killed tens of thousands, including his own people & the World will never forgive him. Putin was/is 100% in the wrong. Twist words all you want, but that remains true.
As you acknowledge Ukraine and corruption go together like cheese and onion, fish and chips, wodka and caviar (for Airbornes benefit)…there was no chance of a ‘free and fair referendum’…the US would never have allowed that and anyway time would have had to have passed. Like it or not Crimea voted for Russia and would do so today…get over it. Donbass will not be rejoining Ukraine any time soon…if at all..how could they with the human sacrifice they’ve made these past 8 years? On the issue of self determination generally…too many borders were defined by colonialists globally that seemed deliberately… Read more »
Crimea was also an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation in 2014, the Donbas pretty much the same! More Nazi actions by Putin and his fourth Reich!
Nice try K, but it does not wash. Putin could have allowed in neutral observers to the Crimea referendum, but he chose not to. So no one (except Kremlin trolls) believes it.
Ok, here goes, sad Russkie trolls, so when JohninMK is handed his arse, he goes quiet and “Andrew” pops up supporting his comments, then Andrew is handed his arse after he made some obvious errors, which he should know if he comes from UK, then he goes quiet! Then, up pops JohninMK again, who is handed his arse to him, again, and again goes quiet! Then, lo and behold up pops the previous “Kayaker” to reiterate the same shite John is spouting (Kayaker who incidentally only pops up on Russkie/Ukraine stories and who’s timing of joining the site is obvious… Read more »
I never even knew this site existed until a few weeks ago…got directed here when I clicked on a link. Have posted on several other articles …at least get your facts right Airborne. Have absolutely no idea who Andrew or JohninMK are…you seem to know more than I do. You just sound so desperate to say anything relevant…clutching at straws choosing to attack someone just because they don’t agree with you. What use is a forum for discussion and exchange of opinion if only one variety is allowed? The irony of that of course is that you are advocating a… Read more »
Yawn, those potatoes won’t earn themselves will they, but anyway can you please condemn this illegal invasion of Ukraine by Putin and acknowledge the current Russian leaders Nazi ideology and his illegal occupation of another countries sovereign territory!
Sanctions do send an important message. Personally, I think the sanctions are lightweight. Any business operating in Russia should be banned from accessing the UK market. It should be as simple as that. There are so many Putin apologists out there, Woke people, lefties who still have a romantic notion about Russia as the home of the people’s Revolution against imperialism. But, Putin is imperialism in the 21st century. There are guardian columnists who were for sanctions against apartheid South Africa who now suddenly say that sanctions don’t work. I’m not a Biden fan but as soon as he makes… Read more »
TM, We should have applied theses sanctions (and then some) in 2014 when the Russians annexed the Ukraine.
Biden called Putin out for what he is – good on him for doing so.
Agree with that, having the balls to do it then would have prevented all of the s**t going on now and been vastly cheaper. We made the same mistake with Syria back when that red line was crossed with the chemical weapons I think in part to due to a weak Cameron govt and Labour not willing to support it (mainly after the clusterf**k in Iraq v2). Whilst Gulf war 2 was wrong, Syria red line was not and we should have acted , what happened there was instead was millions more refugees and a prolonged war, as Obama lost… Read more »
Agrree with all of that- We have to take responsibilty for the current state of affairs- inc. our inaction in 2014 our past indiscretions with Iraq (2) & Syria.
I would propoably go further and include NATO bottling it in 2022 when Putin mentioned the Nuclear word as continuation of our errors of geo political judgement.
Sanctions will hurt both sides.
Tomorrow will be a critical day because the Russians have said they will only accept payment for oil and gas from then onwards in Rubles, gold or Bitcoin.
Germany has said No Way and is already talking of introducing rationing.
The main beneficiary out of this whole sorry saga is the United States…enlarged NATO dependent on even more US weapons and oil and gas. Anything to deflect investigation of certain US politicians and their offsprings links with activities in Ukraine.
Seriously? You manage to link all this mess with that? Please try and keep your discussions rational and pertinent.
K wrote: The main beneficiary out of this whole sorry saga is the United States…enlarged NATO dependent on even more US weapons and oil and gas. The Uk has sent over 5000 MBTLAWs its a European weapon designed in Sweden and built in Northern Ireland. Poland has handed over its PZR Grom MANPAD to the Ukraine, built in Poland Germany its Panzerfaust built in Germany France its Milan built in France. Sweden has sent the Ukraine 10000 AT4 Anti-Tank Missiles built in Sweden The UK is sending over Starstreak missiles built in Northen Ireland Turkey has supplied the Ukraine with… Read more »
A good response farouk and well bulletpointed. However portable ATGMs and Manpads are relatively low cost…chickenfeed really in the context of a nations defence budget. The US will finally get countries to increase their defence budgets substantially within the NATO context…given that the US takes such a large slice of the global arms sales pie…they will benefit massively. Both Germany and Canada have in the past few days agreed to buy the F-35…Canada after months/years of indecision, Germany after saying that they didn’t want it several months ago. Also although the US supplied thousands of Javelin they will undoubtedly be… Read more »
But hasn’t your Nazi boss Putin done good, strengthening NATO partnership, increasing the respective countries defence budgets, brought the subject of defence back to the table, and most importantly shown just how crap, incapable and incompetent the so called scary Russian bear is! In fact why the fuck we were all so bothered during the Cold War, as no longer is anyone scared of the so called “ Guards tank Divisions”! Your murdering Nazi boss Putin has done the west a big favour! Oh and in regard to the Ukrainians, no matter what peace deal is done you will have… Read more »
Well there won’t be much demand for the Russian military hardware scrap not least because they cannot buy the raw materials nor manufacture components. Plus the fact it has been shown to be sub standard rubbish.
After every conflict arms manufacturers tend to take stock of how their products have performed and compare this to how they expected them to perform. This time will be no different. In any analysis there are two major factors in play…the actual equipment itself and the crew operating it. Excellent equipment operated by poorly trained crew could be comparable to obsolete equipment excellently handled. The operating environment also influences outcomes…quality of opposition, degree of logistical support, real time intelligence etc. My take on this purely from what i’ve read online is that the T-72B which seems to have been the… Read more »
Perhaps in some parallel universe Russian state apparatchiks might carry out an honest assessment of how their armament industry and military performed, but doubtful in today’s world. There is very credible news reports stating that Russian officials are too afraid to present Putin with the hard facts regarding his military misadventure in Ukraine. Of course you will probably dismiss this with your usual trope about mainstream media. But we can glean a few facts. The Russian Air force and army performed very poorly and failed in all their key objectives that were set for the first 72hrs. And further beyond… Read more »
When do ‘credible news reports’ become fact? When they are targetting countries on the US State Departments list of unfriendly countries? Playing at that game there are credible reports from news media and witnesses stating that extremist elements of Ukrainian Army shelled and shot at their own buildings to blame Russia, they shot and killed innocent civilians trying to escape whilst preventing others from doing so, they herded other civilians into civilian buildings that they had turned into barracks and/or fortified strongpoints …the use of human shields…They shot and wounded captured Russian POWs on camera and tortured others…are these the… Read more »
Not quite, the Russkie head sheds are getting wasted as they are going forward to RV with their rather useless blokes to try and get them to get their shit together and try to be at least mediocre soldiers! And on the subject of head sheds, any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent deaths of thousands? Come on have the nads to go against your supervisor and overseers who monitor your efforts at content and subject matter, and break free from your spud earning existence!
I like spuds…eaten them all my life…go well with sprouts.
Talking of spuds, any condemnation of your spud headed leader Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
Plus your Russkie head sheds give their position away as your analogue means of comms is shite and they resort to using mobile phones….FFS they are embarrassing the profession of soldiering, fucking half trained amateurs masquerading as soldiers!
Agreed…any use of mobile technology in this day and age unless heavily encrypted to beyond normal military standard
is very foolish. Doesn’t say much about the 200+ mercenaries killed in the attack on the training ground in western Ukraine though does it? Not very professional and they paid for it with their lives.
There’s a difference between your Russkie serving head sheds who should know better, and a group of western civvies cutting about at a well known (previously utilised by NATO trying teams) static base (not hard to find) trying to be soldiers in a couple of weeks! No they aren’t professionals that’s correct. There may be a few ex regs in that group but it only takes one bell end to use a mobile. Even you should understand that. OK next comment please as I’ve just handed you your arse on that one. FFS you do need to understand the subject… Read more »
It’s perfectly obvious from watching Putins behaviour leading up to and after the invasion that he is living in an alternate world and is not being told the truth. But since you mentioned the truth, here’s an overarching one…. Russia lied about its intention to invade Ukraine, and then initiated a war against them, based on absurd and outlandish stories of nazis or bio weapons or NATO. In reality, Putin wanted to re establish a greater Russia. It lied before, during and after the fact and is continuing to do so, whether you call it warcraft or maskirovka or any… Read more »
We’re never going to agree on this so pointless wasting time trying to convince the other. What does surprise me though in the UK is that there does seem to be genuine surprise that not everyone believes the BBC/CH4 etc propaganda. The BBC themselves did a documentary on the neo Nazi movement in Ukraine years ago. Go-Ogle and Youtube et al are removing links to these extremist atrocities as fast as they can…BUT I can assure you they have happened and the people who witnesses some of these are alive and would probably relish being able to provide accounts to… Read more »
Ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa FFS you are hilarious, absolutely hilarious, more please, more!
That we won’t agree is probably the most accurate thing you’ve written, maybe ever. The rest is pure conjecture and desperate scraping of the bottom of the barrell. When you resort to mentioning the ‘Great Reset ‘ you’re slumming it with those foaming at the mouth conspiracy lunatics with their 5G, anti vax, illuminati, Bilderberg, foil hat wearing nonsense. You’ve well and truly lost the argument there. Your assertion that Russia somehow a bulwark against human enslavement is actually beyond satire, it would actually be funny on so many levels if it wasn’t so tragically false. I’ve no hesitation in… Read more »
Troll or no troll The one thing I agree with you on despite everyone else in the rooms apparent disdain is Ukraine does have a neo Nazi problem this is simply fact and has never been a secret. now I don’t support what the Russians are doing and I have no love for the evil dictator Putin but the cartoonish Russia bad Ukraine everything that is good narrative repeated by many otherwise intelligent and normally well informed individuals is not the whole truth. There are Reuters articles (those lovely leftist guardianistas) from 2018 highlighting the problems with these facist shitebags.… Read more »
Very well written…can’t disagree with what you say. Very courageous of you to ”put your head above the parapet so to speak’…welcome to the club…apparently there are four of us now…although i’m sure Airborne will be along soon to correct me on this…amongst other things. This blind faith in liars and corrupt politicians…never been able to understand it. My favourite definition of a ‘conspiracy theorist’ from someone online is : “Someone who questions the statements of known liars”. Slightly off topic….but then again maybe not. Official UK govt figures regarding Covid-19 point to the triple vaccinated being approx 2-2.5 times… Read more »
I could go on and on in regard to a purely military angle here, as by your post you have obviously never served and regurgitating info you have been spoon fed! The big issue is the absolute shite skill set and tactical knowledge of your Russkie mil at every level of command! Every army will lose platforms and people, but a decent military will have spent years and years training for combined arms tactics! That is the difference between a professional experienced military and the shite that is being pushed into Ukraine by your head shed Nazi Putin! And on… Read more »
K wrote: “”The US will finally get countries to increase their defence budgets substantially within the NATO context…given that the US takes such a large slice of the global arms sales pie…they will benefit massively.”” That’s a very interesting way to look at things, the US has for years not only shouldered the cost of NATO and defending its allies in Europe for over 30 years . But it has for the past 20 years tried to push European nations to at least chip in (regards their own defence) to the bare minimum 2% mark. Of which the vast majority… Read more »
You give some good examples farouk…one or two omissions like heavy airlift…A400 has had limited success but still heavily dependent on C130 and C17 for example…and these are expensive per unit cost relatively speaking. Even the non US built stuff though…much of it uses US engines, avionics ,weapons…this is where the money is…aluminium and steel airframes/chassis/keels are the cheaper bits usually. SIPRI figures for 2019 largest global arms companies…out of the 25 largest…top 5 were all US based, selling S166B worth of arms and military support services out of a total for all 25 of $361B…that’s 46%. Total US slice… Read more »
Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine? Let’s cut to the chase, the US has better kit and marketing and if you want to fight and win then US kit is better than the obvious Russkie garbage on the market. What’s the saying, buy cheap, buy twice! Anyway about that condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
K wrote: Both Germany and Canada have in the past few days agreed to buy the F-35…Canada after months/years of indecision, Germany after saying that they didn’t want it several months ago. Yes they have, and the reason why, because a threat their experts said wouldn’t happen, has happened and political decisions made in the past by liberal Politicians (Trudeau in Canada and Ursula von der Leyen in Germany) have come back to bite them. I mean look at Canada (yes I know they wanted an aircraft with two engines for flying over the vast wilderness) operates the older iteration… Read more »
Wow !! So Joe Biden got Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine and see his military humiliated just to avoid an investigation into a non story about Burisima Holdings. That’s cute !!
This time next week, Russia will be accepting potatoes and onions as payment for whatever isn’t nailed down and can be sold.
Some desperate deflection from Cosy Bear.
And on payments in Rubles, what did we see today. Russia has backed down and the payments are going to be in Euro’s
Oh dear it’s payments in Euros time! Oh dear wrong again, but at least your consistent, always wrong!
Sanctions are only effective over the medium/longterm. Putin is calling for the surrender of Mariupol. He wants his land bridge to Crimea before he negotiates a cease fire. Boris is suggesting the UK ‘ steps up a gear’ and gives Ukraine armoured vehicles to enable them to relieve Mariupol. CVRT ? Stormer HVM?
I would have thought all those T72 in storage in East European NATO nations, would be best for Ukraine. Give the East Euro NATO nations surplus Leopard & M1 to make up the loss.
Agree. Like the Mig deal that didn’t happen. Poland would be up for it and have lots of original Soviet spec T72s which would suit…if they are in decent condition.
And as if in answer to a prayer….
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/us-working-with-allies-to-send-soviet-made-tanks-to-ukraine-to-aid-in-war-against-russia-articleshow.html
Thanks for the link.
Sanctions haven’t been that effective, as there are many loopholes and exceptions. If you look at the scope of the sanctions, beyond the news stores, they are pretty limited. What has been surprisingly effective is public opinion causing multinational organisations to pull out of Russia for reputational reasons. Basic things like car parts are becoming hugely difficult to get, as all the major car companies have pulled out, even though there is no reason to do under sanctions.
Putin may be doing the Wests sanction work for it. Putin now wants roubles for all sorts of Russian exports like timber, etc. My guess is that firms will simply buy from other countries.
I suspect the biggest impact to the sanctions are the likes of abramovich helping out with the peace talks, I’m sure to help release their funds.
It seems like NATO is slow walking everything. Those S300s should have been in Ukraine, a month ago and Javelins should have been there six months ago. The US is following. Without public pressure, they would be doing a lot less.
Sanctions do very little to the ruling class. So they won’t be able to go on their fancy trips for a while but they will be able to buy just about anything they want through the black market. Unless the Russian people get fed up with the sanctions and overthrow Putin the sanctions won’t amount to much.
Sanctions did not work against Rhodesia or South Africa. Rhodesia was bought to negotiating table when the then South African PM, John Vorster, foreclosed on the mortgage. Apartheid South Africa itself was not brought down by sanctions, since almost everybody was trading with them in one form or another: in this case it was a complex function of a complicated history – too long to go into here. What sanctions do, is to distort the economy: what matters is the will to resist – if that stays constant then only force will do the job.
OT but. not as effective as these….
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/us-working-with-allies-to-send-soviet-made-tanks-to-ukraine-to-aid-in-war-against-russia-articleshow.html
Correct me if I am, wrong, but Russia/Putin/Oligarchs have endured one sort of sanction after another for many years. As already said by many here, there are ‘hedge funds’, Trusts, offshore accounts, corrupt banks etc and soforth where money is moved, laundered into accounts that not many know about, allowing these maggots… hold on, maggots serve a purpose… anyway the aforementioned still have access to ‘oodles of wonga’. I would suggest Russia/Putin/Oligarch’s have plenty of cash to carry on for a long long time yet, before it really bothers them too much. A check book in the name of Mr… Read more »